Rock River, Wyoming
Panoramic view of Downtown Rock River (First National Bank left of center)
Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
Similar to other communities along this route, the town of Rock River emerged from the Union Pacific Railroad. By 1899 the town had multiple businesses that served “surveyors, timbermen, coal miners and other workers associated with the railroad.” [7] Rock River experienced a boom in industry shortly after the 1913 dedication of the Lincoln Highway. Oil was found twelves miles west in 1917 at an oil camp known as Ohio City (later named McFadden). The site quickly developed and Rock River worked as a nearby service center. [7] The oil boom at Ohio City created a surge in population for Rock River, and with it came new business and buildings including the First National Bank of Rock River in 1919.
First National Bank of Rock River
The prospect of a major oil boom in the region allowed for an eventful start for the bank, however, oil production at Ohio City proved to be modest, and commerce at the bank declined. It closed within four years of its opening [8]. A declining economy was not the only factor that contributed to the banks decline. In March of 1924, Vice-President and Cashier of the bank, Lewis C. Butler was convicted of embezzlement and misappropriation of thousands of dollars from the bank’s funds and sentenced to a prison term at Leavenworth, Kansas. [8]
Today, the First National Bank of Rock River sits idle in the middle of town. However, its significance in the community over the years demonstrates why it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Beginning in the 1930s, the building served as a focal point for the community until the 1980s. From 1935 to 1985 a section of the building was used as a community room which housed a number of social events such as town council meetings and as polling place. The banks lobby also served as a post office for nearly twenty years between 1930 and 1950. For a short amount of time, the building included apartments which were later turned into a jail in the 1940s and 1950s. The picture above also shows traces of an overhanging door that was constructed when the lobby housed a fire garage after the post office moved out. [9]
The First National Bank of Rock River National Register form can be found here
The 1st U.S. Army Transcontinental Motor Convoy on Main Street in Rock River.
Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
Image reads: “First water works system of Rock River”
Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
